Photo by Lauren Florence St. Clairsville’s Dino Burk looks for running room after taking a handoff Friday against Bishop Ready at Red Devil Stadium in a OHSAA Division IV, Region 15 semifinal match.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Two post-season games, two OHSAA playoff triumphs.

Such is the case with St. Clairsville football.

The second one, however, was an instant classic.

The high-octane and undefeated Red Devils advanced to the Division IV Region 15 semifinals via a hard-earned and heart-stopping 29-22 win Friday night over a quality Columbus Bishop Ready outfit.

As a result, Coach Brett McLean’s well-drilled and potent charges will now face West Holmes, a 24-13 victor over East Liverpool. The OHSAA will determine the neutral game site Sunday.

Eighth-seeded Bishop Ready bows out with a 7-5 record as it saw a six-game winning streak halted. The Silver Knights pocketed an 18-17 nod over Jonathan Alder a week prior.

West Holmes, meanwhile, will bring a 7-5 mark into its Week 13 clash with St. C.

Top-seeded St. C. opened its playoff campaign with a 40-6 pasting of Marion-Franklin.

The 12-0 Red Devils’ found themselves in unfamiliar territory against Ready, that being behind. The hosts owned a 7-0 halftime advantage but found themselves trailing 15-12 midway through the third quarter.

While St. C. was able to regain a seven-point lead in the fourth period, the game’s outcome was still hanging in the balance in the final minute. Ready moved the ball to the Red Devils’ eight-yard line. St. C.’s defense, however, was equal to the task as it forced four straight incomplete passes to seal the prized win.

“We trailed against Norwayne but that is about it,” said an elated and relieved McLean. “I am so proud of the kids. They showed a lot of character and resiliency.”

“We knew what Ready was all about. They are an excellent team with some super playmakers,” he added. “Ready made an impressive drive at the end of the game but our defense stepped up when it had to.”

McLean, who has built a D-IV juggernaut in his 23 years at the Hilltop helm including a state runner-up finish in 2012, received impressive offensive performances from a host of red-clad performers. Seniors Brady Schafer, Dino Burk and Gavin Schoolcraft as well as junior Olile Muhly all delivered key efforts needed to turn back the formidable Silver Knights.

Schafer passed for 133 yards and two TDs. Burk did yeoman’s work toting the ball, gaining 183 yards and a TD on 26 carries. Schoolcraft delivered a 23-yard TD run while Muhly hauled in a perfectly thrown 52-yard TD bomb from Schafer.

Not to be lost in the shuffle was the timely and oft-times stifling defensive show put on by a host of Red Devils. Max Fogle, Micky Balgo, Colten Florence, Kyle Rankin and Drew Gasber were a collective thorn in the Silver Knights’ side.

“The game started out like we thought it would. That being a low-scoring defense battle,” McLean said. “But once the scoring started it really became an offensive show.

“Ready has some talented skilled people. They have nice offensive balance,” he continued. “But I was happy with how we responded. We made the plays when we had to.”

St. C.’s 7-0 halftime lead came courtesy of a 22-yard TD strike from Schafer to Gage Wolfe with 10:45 left in the opening half. Tyler Harris added the PAT.

The Red Devils saw one golden scoring opportunity come up empty. The Red Devils took the game’s opening kickoff and marched to the Ready one, only to turn the ball over on downs.

Ready got on the board on its first possession of the second half.

Jacob Cheatham teamed with Kayden Schaffer on a 23-yard scoring strike. The PAT, however, was blocked by Balgo, leaving the hosts on top, 7-6.

After a St. C. punt, Ready needed just two plays to strike again. Bullish Anthony Campbell rolled in from 30 yards out to make it a 12-7 Ready led with 7:30 left in the third quarter. The run for two failed.

St. C. wasted no time in responding.

The Red Devils took the ensuing kickoff and put together an eight-play drive, capped by Schoolcraft’s scoring burst. The hosts opted to go for two and it paid dividends as Tyson Pastor tossed to Schafer for a 15-12 lighting.

Ready drew even at 15-15 with 57 seconds left in the third period via a 26-yard field goal by Aaron Amaya.

St. C. took possession of the ensuing kick at its 42. Burk took matters into his own hands and legs as he carried six successive plays, the last being a three-yard TD burst with 10:20 remaining. Harris made it a 22-15 issue.

Ready would not go quietly. The Silver Knights knotted the affair on the strength of a nine-play drive with Campbell racing in from 20 yards out. Amaya added the PAT.

St. C. responded in championship fashion.

Two plays after taking the kickoff, Schafer tossed a deep sideline pass to Muhly who sprinted untouched for what proved to be the game-winning TD. The PAT made it 29-22.

Ready made things very interesting despite taking possession at its 18 with only 2:15 to play.

Four pass completions and a personal foul against the Red Devils, placed the ball at the St. C. eight. The Silver Knights would get no closer as four passes failed to find their mark.

“We haven’t been to the the third round for a while. So it’s nice,” McLean said. “I am very happy for our kids, staff and community. It is a good time right now.

“However, I don’t rest on these wins a long time,” he added. “I am already thinking about next week and West Holmes. We want to keep this going.”

Cheatham had a big night passing for Ready, tossing for 273 yards, completing 19 of- 33 throws. Campbell rushed for 156 yards on 29 attempts.